Lymphatic System

METALANGUAGE:
 Lymph is drained progressively towards larger vessels until it reaches the two main channels, the
lymphatic ducts in our trunk. From there, the filtered lymph fluid returns to the blood in the veins.
 Lymph nodes - A small bean-shaped structure that is part of the body's immune system. Lymph
nodes filter substances that travel through the lymphatic fluid, and they contain lymphocytes (white
blood cells) that help the body fight infection and disease.
 Tonsils - These produce lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and antibodies.
 Spleen plays a role in the production of white blood cells that form part of the immune system.
 Thymus gland is a lymphatic organ and an endocrine gland that is found just behind the sternum. It
secretes hormones and is crucial in the production, maturation, and differentiation of immune T
cells.
 T cells - A type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system and is at the core
of adaptive immunity, the system that tailors the body's immune response to specific pathogens.
The T cells are like soldiers who search out and destroy the targeted invaders.
 Bone marrow is not lymphatic tissue, but it can be considered part of the lymphatic system because
it is here that the B cell lymphocytes of the immune system mature.
 Lymphatic vessels- A thin tube that carries lymph (lymphatic fluid) and white blood cells through the
lymphatic system.
 Osmotic pressure - is the pressure which needs to be applied to a solution to prevent the inward
flow of water across a semipermeable membrane.
 Diffuse or diffusion - physical process that refers to the net movement of molecules from a region of
high concentration to one of lower concentration.
 Edema – in Bisaya “Hupong”
 Interstitial fluid – a Fluid found in the spaces around cells.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
XIV. Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and
other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid
containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.
 Functions of the Lymphatic System
1. The removal of excess fluids from body tissues. ...
2. Absorption of fatty acids and subsequent transport of fat, chyle, to the circulatory system.
3. Production of immune cells (such as lymphocytes, monocytes, and antibody producing cells
called plasma cells).
 Fig. 41: The Lymphatic System
Lymphatic Pathways
The lymphatic vessels carry lymph, which has the same composition as tissue fluid. The arrows in
figure 41 show that tissue fluid begins forming when fluid leaves the arterial end of a blood capillary due
to blood pressure. Fluid enters the venous end of a capillary due to osmotic pressure. However, more
fluid exits than enters a blood capillary. This excess tissue fluid, which contains not only water but also
solutes that have diffused from a blood capillary. Is taken up by lymphatic capillaries lying near blood
capillaries. A swelling called edema results whenever too much tissue fluid forms and or not enough are
taken away. Take note the lymphatic capillaries are close-ended. This is what makes the lymphatic
system one-way system.
Lymphatic Vessels and Ducts
The lymphatic capillaries join to form larger lymphatic vessels, which have a structure comparable to
that of cardiovascular veins, including the presence of valves. Like cardiovascular veins, movement
within lymphatic vessels is dependent upon skeletal muscle contraction, respiratory movements, and
valves that prevent backward flow. Furthermore, lymphatic vessels have valves. The flow of lymph in
lymphatic capillaries is interrupted by lymph nodes. Lymph always passes through at least one lymph
node before it enters a lymphatic duct.
Lymph Capillaries
As blood passes through the tissues of the body, it enters thin-walled capillaries to facilitate diffusion
of nutrients, gases, and waste. Blood plasma also diffuses through the thin capillary walls and penetrates
into the spaces between the cells of the tissues. Some of this plasma diffuses back into the blood of the
capillaries, but a considerable portion becomes embedded in the tissues as interstitial fluid. To prevent
the accumulation of excess fluids, small dead-end vessels called lymphatic capillaries extend into the
tissues to absorb fluids and return them to circulation.

Lymph
The interstitial fluid picked up by lymphatic capillaries is known as lymph. Lymph very close resembles
the plasma found in veins: it is a mixture of about 90% water and 10% solute such as proteins, cellular
waste products, dissolved gases and hormones. Lymph may also contain bacterial cells that are picked
up from diseased tissue and white blood cells that fight these pathogens.

Lymphatic Vessels
Lymphatic capillaries merge together into larger lymphatic vessel to carry lymph through the body.
The structure of lymphatic vessels closely resemble that of veins: they both have thin walls and many
check valves due to their shared function of carrying fluids under low pressure. Lymph is transported
through lymphatic vessels by the skeletal muscle pump- contractions of skeletal muscles constrict the
vessels to push the fluid forward. Check valves prevent the fluid from flowing back toward the lymphatic
capillaries.

Lymph Circulation
One of the primary function of the lymphatic system is the movement of interstitial fluid from the
tissues to the circulatory system. Like the veins of the circulatory system, lymphatic capillaries and
vessels move lymph with very little pressure to help with circulation. To help move lymph towards the
lymphatic ducts, there is a series of many one-way check valves found throughout the lymphatic vessels.
These check valves allow lymph to move toward the lymphatic ducts and close when lymph attempts to
flow away from the ducts. In the limb, skeletal muscle contraction squeezes the walls of lymphatic
vessels to push lymph through the valves and towards the thorax. In the trunk, the diaphragm pushes
down into the abdomen during inhalation. This increased abdominal pressure pushes lymph into the less
pressurized thorax. The pressure gradient reverse during exhalation, but the check valves prevent lymph
from being pushed backwards.

Self Help:
 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/303087#definition
 https://youtu.be/QD9AdNXSQe4